Stories

Sebastian Garcia was 17 years old when he first noticed a twinge of pain in his knee. Over the days that turned into weeks, he felt it hurt just a little bit more. Then one day, while starting a school basketball practice, his knee ultimately gave out on him. The school trainer treated it for several days but still no improvement. He was sent to an Orthopedic and underwent an MRI, which revealed a tumor in his right knee. On Thanksgiving Day, his family was given the news that it was Osteosarcoma “cancer.” He underwent scans and three different chemo treatments for two months. Finally, in February 2021, the tumor was removed.WOW!What a relief. A few months later, after routine checkups, his family was given the devastating news that cancer in his knee had spread into his right lung. Surgery to remove that tumor was successful, but a CT scan revealed a tumor in his left lung. Sebastian is currently waiting to see what his oncologists suggest for his next action plan. While his story has been one of setback after setback for two years, Sebastian has a strong mind and heart and is entirely focused on the future.He plans to start college and study sports medicine and a minor in kinesiology. That’s where Ma Hila’s Heart Project comes in. When Sebastian was asked what he would like through our Ma Hila’s Heart Blessings Way program, he said, “While I am on this journey with cancer, I can focus on the future. My “Heart Blessing” – this iMac is helping me do just that.”